Graphical tile-based expansion cell guide

ABSTRACT

A discovery interface facilitates the selection of available media content. Content-relevant graphical tiles are displayed in strips within the discovery interface. In this manner, a user can survey graphics associated with available content. When the discovery interface section (e.g., a row) is in focus, the graphical tiles are expanded as compared to the tiles in sections that are not in focus to provide easier viewing by the user. Furthermore, when an individual tile is in focus, then the tile expands further to be wider and taller than any of the other tiles in the associated tile strip. In one implementation, the focused tile is also highlighted, such as with a distinguishing border. In another implementation, metadata associated with the content of the focused tile is displayed in the proximity of the focused tile.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/479638, entitled “Customizing Virtual Channels in aDiscovery Interface” and filed on Jun. 30, 2006, which is specificallyincorporated herein by reference for all that it discloses and teaches.

BACKGROUND

The convergence of computing and entertainment continues to provide newcontent and options for consumers. For example, cable subscribers cannow access cable television programs and video-on-demand content (VOD)through their set-top boxes. In one offering, video-on-demand serviceallows a user to select a program for viewing from a library ofprograms, wherein all of the programs are available at any time and canbe paused, saved, reviewed, etc. (as opposed to a cable televisionprogram that is only available at a scheduled time and duration). Othersources of content may also exist, including content from a medialibrary, an Internet Protocol (IP) stream, a Web site, etc.

Consumers and content providers can find great benefit in theavailability of content from so many different types of sources. Forexample, a consumer can view a rerun episode of a cable televisionprogram and then search for and view a subsequent episode of the sameprogram over VOD or some other content providing channel. For theirpart, content providers can keep people “tuned in” with a widerassortment of content and content types.

Listings of available programs for a given content source are generatedfrom discovery data (e.g., catalogs of available programming). However,existing approaches for presenting a user with choices of availablecontent from various sources fail to provide a synergistic interfacethrough which to access discovery data for such content. Instead,existing approaches isolate the discovery data for content of eachsource from the discovery data for content of all other sources. Forexample, a typical electronic program guide (EPG) provides cabletelevision listings through one interface and video-on-demand contentlistings through a separate and distinct interface. As such, thediscovery interfaces for such content provide no relationships,interactions, or cohesive user experience among content of differentsources.

In addition, the amount of available content continues to expand, makingit more difficult for a consumer to find the content in which they areinterested and make it more difficult for a content provider to maintainthe consumer's attention.

SUMMARY

A unified discovery interface allows customized selections of broadcastand non-broadcast media content available within an electronicprogramming guide. In one implementation, for example, discovery datarelating to selected non-broadcast content (e.g., streaming video IPcontent) is collected (e.g., in a catalog) and presented to a user via avirtual channel together with discovery data related to broadcastcontent in a discovery interface. In this manner, a user can reviewavailable broadcast content and selected non-broadcast content via aunified discovery interface and select either type of content fordisplay in customized virtual channels of the unified discoveryinterface.

The discovery data relating to the non-broadcast content, for example,may include a discovery interface relationship parameter that allows forcustomizable association and relationships of the virtual channel withinthe unified discovery interface. For example, where a virtual channel isassociated with a broadcast channel, a row of the discovery interfacecorresponding to the broadcast channel may indicate that broadcastcontent from a particular television show episode is available at agiven timeslot and then, in an adjacent row corresponding to the virtualchannel, other episodes of the same show can be listed as available froman non-broadcast content provider, such as a IP content provider. Inthis manner, the customizable virtual channel can be selectivelypresented to the user within the context of listed content from anothersource, thereby intentionally tying together content of potentiallycommon interest to the user within the unified discovery interface.

Implementations described and claimed herein address the foregoingproblems by providing a discovery interface that facilitates theselection of media content, whether the content is broadcast ornon-broadcast content. Content-relevant graphical tiles are displayed instrips within the discovery interface. In this manner, a user can surveygraphical images, animations, or video associated with availablecontent. When the discovery interface section (e.g., a row) is in focus,the graphical tiles are expanded as compared to the graphical tiles insections that are not in focus to provide easier viewing by the user.Furthermore, when an individual tile is in focus, then the tile expandsfurther to be wider and taller than any of the other tiles in theassociated tile strip. In one implementation, the focused tile is alsohighlighted, such as with a distinguishing border. In anotherimplementation, metadata associated with the content of the focused tileis displayed in the proximity of the focused tile.

In some implementations, articles of manufacture are provided ascomputer program products. One implementation of a computer programproduct provides a computer program storage medium readable by acomputer system and encoding a computer program. Another implementationof a computer program product may be provided in a computer data signalembodied in a carrier wave by a computing system and encoding thecomputer program. Other implementations are also described and recitedherein.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for presenting discovery datapertaining to non-broadcast content in a customized virtual channel of aunified discovery interface.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example screenshot of a unified discoveryinterface presenting non-broadcast content in a customized virtualchannel of a unified discovery interface.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example screenshot of a unified discoveryinterface presenting non-broadcast content in a customized virtualchannel of a unified discovery interface.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example implementation of a system for providing aunified discovery interface.

FIG. 5 illustrates another example implementation of a system forproviding a unified discovery interface.

FIG. 6 illustrates example operations for providing non-broadcastcontent in a customized virtual channel of a unified discoveryinterface.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example system that may be useful in implementingthe described technology.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example screenshot of a discovery interfaceincluding an expanded graphical tile for an offering of available mediacontent.

FIG. 9 illustrates example operations for displaying a discoveryinterface with an expanded graphical tile for an offering of availablemedia content.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for presenting discovery datapertaining to non-broadcast content in a customized virtual channel of aunified discovery interface 102. A user's computing system 104 iscoupled to a display device 106, which is capable of presenting theunified discovery interface 102. The computing system 104 is alsocoupled to a tuner device 108 (e.g., a set-top box or a tuner cardinternal to the computing device), which communicates with a cablecontent provider 110 and a video-on-demand content provider 112. Itshould be understood that the cable content provider 110 and thevideo-on-demand content provider 112 may be represented by the sameentity. Furthermore, content providers that compete with the cableproviders, such as satellite services and airwave-based broadcasttelevision stations, may also be supported in a similar manner. Contentproviders for other media, such as satellite radio, broadcast radio,etc., may also be supported through computing system 104.

In one implementation, the computing system 104 executes a mediaapplication that manages the user's access to media content, whetheravailable locally or remotely. For example, the user can use his or hercomputing system 104 to control a portable media player 114, the tunerdevice 108, a local media library 116, and other content available fromdiscrete devices or over a communications network 118. Examples of thecontrol a user may apply can include without limitations transferringcontent between a portable media player 114 and a local media library116, scheduling the recording of a cable television program by a digitalvideo recorder (not shown) coupled to the computing system 104,downloading IP content (such as a video or song) from an IP contentprovider 120.

In one implementation, the media application also provides the discoveryinterface 102 on a display device 106 (e.g., a monitor or television)coupled to the computing device 104. Discovery data is obtained througha media information service 122 that collects program information aboutcontent from a variety of sources. The media information service 122maps data from a variety of sources to one or more consistent schema,enabling a consistent discovery experience, and associates content fromdifferent sources. The discovery interface 102 can be represented by anon-screen guide, such as an electronic program guide (EPG), althoughvarious monikers may be used in other implementations, including withoutlimitation interactive program guide (IPG) and electronic service guide(ESG). The discovery interface 102 presents an on-screen guide to theavailable content (e.g., broadcast content, such as scheduled cabletelevision programs, and non-broadcast content, such as available IPcontent, locally stored media, etc.) in which broadcast content andnon-broadcast content are shown together via virtual channels of theunified discovery interface.

In one implementation, the discovery interface 102 provides a graphicaluser interface that can display program titles and other descriptiveinformation (collectively “discovery data”), such as a summary, actors'names and bios, directors' names and bios, year of production, etc. Inone implementation, the information is displayed on a grid with theoption to select more information on each program, although otherformats are also contemplated. Channel identifiers pertaining to thescheduled cable programs, the program start and end times, genres,thumbnail images, animations, videos, and other descriptive metadata canalso be presented within the discovery interface 102. Radio and songinformation may offer other information, such as artist, album, albumcover graphics, and track title information. The discovery interface 102allows the user to browse program summaries; search by genre, channel,etc.; and obtain immediate access to the selected content, reminders,and parental control functions. If the computing device 104 is soconfigured or so connected, a discovery interface 102 can providecontrol for scheduled recording of programs.

A user can use the discovery interface 102 to navigate, select, anddiscover content by a variety of parameters, including time, title,channel, genre, cost, actors, directors, sources, relationships to othercontent, etc. Navigation can be accomplished through the mediaapplication by a variety of input devices, such as a remote control, akeyboard, and a mouse. In one implementation, for example, the user cannavigate through the discovery interface 102 and display informationabout scheduled cable programs, video-on-demand programs, and associatedIP content within a single presentation frame. By navigating through thediscovery interface 102, the user can manipulate and obtain moreinformation about a current program or about other programs availablethrough the discovery interface 102. For example, when the computingdevice 104 is connected to a DVR, the user can to plan his or herviewing schedule, learn about the actors of available programs, andrecord cable programs to a hard disk in the computer device 104 forlater viewing.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example screenshot 200 of a unified discoveryinterface presenting both broadcast content and non-broadcast contentvia virtual channels of the unified discovery interface. A gridpresentation frame presented in the discovery interface includes rowsassociated with specific broadcast/cable content providers (e.g.,networks, local broadcast stations, etc.) and columns associated withdesignated time slots. The first column 202 identifies the contentprovider in a selectable promotional region (see e.g., the promotionalregion 204). By selecting the promotional region 204, a user cannavigate to a promotional frame that provides more information about thecontent provider's offerings.

In the 8:00 PM-9:00 PM time slot for channel “4”, a broadcast contentregion 206 presents a listing for the program “Alias”, with metadatadescribing the episode title and an episode summary. By selecting thebroadcast region 206, the user can gain access to functionality forchanging the viewing channel to broadcast channel “4”, scheduling areminder to watch “Alias” at 8:00 PM on Thursday, scheduling a recordingof the “Alias” episode, and a variety of other actions. The bold linearound the broadcast content region 206 indicates that the user hasnavigated to the broadcast content region 206.

A virtual channel region 208 presents non-broadcast content (e.g., IPcontent). In this implementation, the virtual channel region 208 isassociated with the content provider (i.e., ABC) shown in thepromotional region 204 and is presented below the broadcast contentregion 206 (although other implementations are contemplated). Byreceiving collected catalog metadata relating to broadcast content andnon-broadcast content (e.g., IP content) associated with the broadcastcontent shown in the broadcast region 206, the unified discoveryinterface can present discovery information pertaining to the broadcastcontent and the associated non-broadcast content. As shown in FIG. 3,the user can navigate to the non-broadcast content region 208 to gainaccess to the non-broadcast content associated with the content providershown in the promotional region 204.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example screenshot 300 of a unified discoveryinterface presenting broadcast content together with non-broadcastcontent. For example, a bold line around a non-broadcast content region308 indicates that a user has navigated to the non-broadcast IP contentregion 308 associated with the content provider of channel “4,” (i.e.,ABC channel KOMO). Within the non-broadcast content region 308, the usermay navigate between multiple non-broadcast content (e.g., IP content)offerings provided by that content provider (or associated contentproviders). In the implementation of FIG. 3, for example, a user hasnavigated to a “Lost” episode 310, called “The Other 48 Days”, that isavailable as IP content within the non-broadcast content region 308.Other options shown in FIG. 3 for the same content provider include“Extreme Makeover,” Boston Legal,” Grey's Anatomy,” “Less than Perfect,”and “Desperate Housewives,” although other IP content may also beavailable (e.g., from navigating further right or left within thenon-broadcast content region 308.

The offerings presented in the non-broadcast content region 308 can beselected by a discovery data ingestion module (see e.g., the discussionregarding FIG. 4) within the context of the associated broadcast channelregion 312. For example, if the user navigated from the Alias panel 314into the non-broadcast content region 308, the offerings listed in thenon-broadcast content region 308 can be selected for display based onthe user's previous position on the Alias panel 314 (e.g., based ontheir popularity among people who watch Alias). In alternativeimplementations, the offerings listed in the non-broadcast contentregion 308 may be dependent on other information, includingappropriateness to the time slot of the user's previous position (e.g.,in relation to parental ratings), compliance with parental controls seton the computing system, paid-for/sponsored-positioning within thenon-broadcast content region 308, etc.

FIG. 4 shows an example implementation of a system 400 for providing aunified discovery interface. In this implementation, one or more contentproviders 402 provide discovery data to a discovery data ingestionmodule 404. The discovery data ingestion module 404 aggregates thediscovery data into one or more content compilations, such as a contentcatalog 406. For example, broadcast content providers, such as cabletelevision providers, provide discovery data specifying broadcastprogramming details available for electronic programming guides.Likewise, discovery data for available non-broadcast content can becollected into catalogs using web crawlers, search engines,predetermined offerings catalogs, etc. Such discovery data can then becombined into a content catalog 406 for display and activation withinthe unified discovery interface.

Discovery data related to non-broadcast content received at thediscovery data ingestion module 404 can be associated with one or morevirtual channel to be presented in the discovery interface. Thus, if acontent provider offers non-broadcast content for a particular virtualchannel, the content provider may provide discovery data to thediscovery data ingestion module 404 that is linked or otherwiseassociated with that virtual channel. In one particular implementation,for example, the content provider may link or otherwise associatediscovery data for non-broadcast content to a particular virtualchannel. In this implementation, for example, the content provider mayoffer a virtual channel directly to its subscribers and providediscovery data for content offered on that virtual channel to thediscovery data ingestion module 404 that is linked or otherwiseassociated with that virtual channel for presentation in the discoveryinterface.

The virtual channel offered by the content provider may also beassociated with another channel (e.g., a broadcast channel or anothervirtual channel) available through the discovery interface. In thisimplementation, the discovery data for content to be offered via thatvirtual channel may include a discovery interface relationship parameterthat identifies a relationship of non-broadcast content offered via thatvirtual channel to the other channel presented via the discoveryinterface. In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, for example, thenon-broadcast content (e.g., the Lost episode 310 entitled “The Other 48Days”) shown in non-broadcast content region 308 is associated with theABC content provided via ABC channel “4” KOMO. Thus, the discoveryinterface relationship parameter associated with this non-broadcastcontent may identify that the discovery data for this content is to bedisplayed in association with the broadcast content shown in broadcastcontent region 312 (e.g., below broadcast content region 312 as shown inFIG. 3).

Alternatively, the discovery data of the non-broadcast content to bepresented via a virtual channel in the discovery interface may identifya particular virtual channel it is associated with, and the virtualchannel itself may include discovery data or some other parameteridentifying the relationship of the virtual channel to some otherchannel (broadcast or non-broadcast) presented in the discoveryinterface. In the implementation shown in FIG. 3, for example, a virtualchannel (e.g., non-broadcast region 308) is linked with or otherwiseassociated with the ABC broadcast channel provided in broadcast contentregion 312 for ABC channel “4” KOMO. In this implementation, discoverydata or another parameter of the virtual channel itself may identifythat the virtual channel is to be displayed in association with thebroadcast channel provided in broadcast content region 312 (e.g., belowbroadcast content region 312 as shown in FIG. 3).

Where the virtual channel or the non-broadcast content is not associatedwith a broadcast channel to be presented in the discovery interface, thecontent provider may provide discovery data for the virtual channel orthe non-broadcast content may include a discovery interface relationshipparameter that identifies a location (absolute or relative) within thediscovery interface for which the discovery data is to be displayed. Thediscovery interface parameter may identify, for example, a channelnumber or another location within the discovery interface at which thevirtual channel or the non-broadcast content may be presented to a user.

In yet another implementation, the discovery data ingestion module 404may associate discovery content of non-broadcast content provided by thecontent providers with one or more virtual channel, either directly orvia a discovery data customization interface 426. In thisimplementation, the discovery data ingestion module 404 receivesdiscovery data for non-broadcast content from the content providers andlinks or otherwise associates this content with one or more virtualchannel.

The discovery data ingestion module 404 can also receive and/or providebilling data 408 and advertising data, such as in an advertising catalog410. Billing data 408, for example, may be used to process financialtransactions through the discovery interface, such as a viewerpurchasing media or ordering VOD content. Advertising data may be usedto present advertisements through the discovery interface andpotentially to tailor advertisements for individual viewers or families,in a similar manner as cookies for web sites. A media client 412receives the discovery data from the one or more content compilations,billing data 408, and/or advertising data.

The metadata ingestion module 404, for example, can receive discoverydata, such as metadata related to content provided (or to be provided)by a content provider. Metadata may include, without limitation,descriptive properties of content or descriptive properties of how thecontent is integrated within the unified discovery interface. Metadatadescribing media content, for example, may include title, synopsis,genre, category, classification, review, cast, crew, artist, producer,time, duration, location, content type, content provider, source,resolution, cost, subscriber, or other data relating to particular mediacontent. Metadata describing integration within the discovery interface(e.g., a discovery interface relationship parameter) may include withoutlimitation descriptions of the contextual, demographic, or parentalratings relationships of the content with other content. For example,contextual relationships may associate content directed to a commonsubject matter (e.g., World War II) or genre (e.g., “The 4400”, “TheX-files”). Demographic relationships may associate content directed toviewers in certain age groups (e.g., a viewer browsing throughNickelodeon and/or Cartoon Network broadcast programming may see IPcontent directed to viewers in the 5-14 year old age group). Parentalratings relationships may prevent the display of IP content based onparental controls set up on the computing system.

The discovery data ingestion module 404 receives discovery data from oneor more content providers 402 and aggregates the discovery data into oneor more compilations of discovery data (such as a catalog, an index, adatabase, etc.). In one particular implementation, for example, thediscovery data ingestion module 404 aggregates discovery data relatingto broadcast content and non-broadcast content into a singlecompilation, such as a content catalog 406. Alternatively, the discoverydata ingestion module 404 may aggregate discovery data relating tobroadcast content and non-broadcast content into separate compilations,such as independent content catalogs or independent files orrepositories stored within a single compilation (e.g., a catalog, index,database, etc.). The content catalog 406, for example, may include oneor more repositories for metadata, such as depending on the type ofcontent delivery by which particular content is available. In oneimplementation, the content catalog 406 may include a repository forbroadcast content (e.g., time-based programming media content) metadata(e.g., an electronic programming guide), such as broadcast television,broadcast radio, cable television, cable audio, satellite television,satellite audio, or other broadcast content.

The content catalog 406 may further include a repository fornon-broadcast content, such as Internet protocol content provided by abroadcast content provider or its sponsored or associated contentproviders. This “approved” Internet protocol content repository, forexample, may include metadata for approved Internet protocol mediacontent or Internet protocol media content provided by an approved orsponsor partner content provider. This repository, for example, may bedownloaded or otherwise provided directly to a media client 412 (e.g., auser media content delivery device) to allow for quicker searching andresponse within unified discovery interface.

The media catalog may also include a “non-approved” Internet protocolrepository. Such a non-approved repository, for example, may includemetadata for media content accessible via a network (e.g., the Internetor another wide area network (WAN)). In this manner, the provider of aunified discovery interface may allow for access to a wide variety ofcontent without being responsible for the quality or subject matter ofthe media content.

“Long tail” media content available, for example, on the Internetincludes low circulation media content that, while not necessarilypopular with the general public, may be especially relevant to interestsof individual customers. In one particular implementation, for example,an end-user may provide a profile or other identifier of types of mediacontent that are of interest and/or the unified discovery interface maypredict media content that may be of interest based upon previousviewing of or listening to media content. In such an implementation, theunified discovery interface may provide a repository of suggested mediacontent that may have been identified by sorting, searching, crawling,or otherwise analyzing of a larger repository based upon a particularuser profile or prediction of user interest. In another implementation,a user may register with a third party provider to allow metadata forthe third party's media content to appear in such a repository for usein a virtual channel of that user's personal unified discoveryinterface.

Such long tail media content may be available in enormous quantities andat various quality levels such that differentiation from media contentprovided by the provider or approved content providers of the unifieddiscovery interface may be useful. However, metadata for such approvedand non-approved Internet protocol media content may be combined into asingle repository, or completely other repository arrangements may evenbe used. In addition, any repositories of discovery data may bedownloaded or otherwise provided to the media client 412 or may beremotely accessible by the media client 412.

Other types of data, such as billing data 408 and an advertising catalog410, may also be provided to or otherwise accessible by the media client412 to authorize a purchase of media content where required or toprovide advertisements for display within a unified discovery interfaceor during presentation of media content on a presentation device 414.

The media client 412 receives discovery data from the content catalog406. As described above, the discovery data for non-broadcast contentmay already be linked or otherwise associated with one or more virtualchannel, such as by the content providers 402 and/or at the discoverydata ingestion module 404. In another implementation, the discovery datafor non-broadcast content may be linked or otherwise associated with oneor more virtual channel at the media client 412.

In one implementation, for example, a compilation of discovery data isreceived from the content catalog 406 at the media client 412 and one ormore virtual channel is customized at the media client 412. A mediaclient customization interface 428 is provided to allow customization ofa virtual channel at the media client 412. The media clientcustomization interface 428, for example, may be used by a third party,such as a user or a content provider, to update or provide new discoverydata for non-broadcast content that may be presented in a virtualchannel of a unified discovery interface. The user may, for example,program the media client 412, such as through local settings stored onthe media client 412, via the media client customization interface 428to select and associate certain media content with one or more virtualchannels. In this manner, the user can identify non-broadcast content tobe presented via a virtual channel in the unified discovery interface.

A third party, such as a content provider or OEM, may directly select orassociate non-broadcast content with one or more virtual channels viathe media client customization interface 428 (e.g., by updating orproviding new discovery data, such as a discovery interface relationshipparameter) to define one or more virtual channels to be presented viathe unified discovery interface. The user or content provider may usethe media client customization interface 428 at different times (e.g.,periodically) in order to provide changing non-broadcast contentavailable through the unified discovery interface.

In one implementation, for example, the media client 412 uses asubscription protocol, such as Really Simple Syndication (RSS), toperiodically pull discovery data from a source external to the contentcatalog 406. In this implementation, a user or third party contentprovider can subscribe to content feeds outside of the media clientdiscovery interface (e.g., through a web site) and have that feed appearin the discovery interface and be automatically updated. For example, auser may subscribe by navigating to a new Internet content provider(e.g., Rocketboom) or related web site that hosts family video content.The user can subscribe to the video content at the web site. The mediaclient 412 then periodically polls the content source to determine ifnew content was available. When new content is available, the mediaclient 412 provides that content to a user via a virtual channel in thediscovery interface (e.g., the family channel). The user could definehow content subscriptions are aggregated into particular virtualchannels of the discovery interface. For example, the user can directcontent from multiple sources into a single virtual channel or may optto create separate virtual channels for each source.

A discovery interface manager 414 of the media client 412 uses thisdiscovery data to generate and present a unified discovery interface toa user (e.g., via a presentation device 420). The unified discoveryinterface provides the user with a choice between broadcast contentavailable via a broadcast channel and non-broadcast content availablevia a virtual channel. When a user selects particular media content fromthe unified discovery interface, a content manager 418 receives thecontent media and presents the content media to a media player 419 andthen ultimately to the user on a presentation device 420. The contentmanager 418 may, for example, receive the media content from a personalmedia library 416 and/or content sources 422 and 424 associated with oneor more of the content providers 402.

The content catalog 406 may, for example, contain metadata that definesan actual media content source, such as a unique identifier for thatcontent, a source type (e.g., television or IP), and a method orprotocol for accessing or retrieving the metadata (e.g., a tuningrequest for a live television program or an HTTP GET request and a URLto the content on an Internet server for IP content). When the userselects a particular media content via the discovery interface, thediscovery interface manager accesses the metadata associated with themedia content from the content catalog 406, such as using an IDreference and launches the appropriate content retrieval function basedon its source type and access method. The content catalog 406 may alsoinclude metadata that allows the media client 412 to determine whichpromotional link is displayed (e.g., on a broadcast or other channel).For example, if a user selects the show Alias from channel 4, thecontent manager 418 directs an NTSC tuner to receive the Aliasbroadcast. Likewise, if the user selects the Lost episode from ABC.com,the content manager 418 establishes an appropriate video stream from thespecified URL. If the user selects to purchase the episode of Lost fromCinemaNow or Movielink, the content manager 418 initiates a downloadfrom the specified URL.

In one particular implementation, for example, the content compilation406 includes a source field for each content entry. The source field mayindicate a content delivery type (e.g., broadcast delivery or IP contentdelivery), which can be used to direct the content manager 418 to anappropriate source for the selected content. In addition, a promotionallink to a promotional portal of the content provider can also be matchedto the source field of the content compilation 406. For example, an ABCsource field may be used to map ABC promotional links to ABC content.The discovery interface manager 414 of the media client 412 may also beused to determine which, if any, of the channels should receive apromotional link to a promotional portal. For example, the promotionallink may only be used for the first affiliated channel in the discoveryinterface or only for the local affiliate, if multiple affiliates areincluded in the interface. In addition, the discovery interface manager414 may also be used to block certain promotional links from appearingwithin the discovery interface, such as where promotion of content isblocked by a content provider.

The download manager, for example, may receive broadcast content viabroadcast delivery methods, such as time-based programming contentdelivery, analog terrestrial broadcast content delivery, digitalterrestrial broadcast content delivery, pay television broadcast contentdelivery, and the like. The download manager 418 may also receivenon-broadcast content via non-broadcast delivery methods, such asInternet protocol content delivery, video-on-demand content delivery,digital video recorder content delivery, digital video disc contentdelivery, compact disc music content delivery, video cassette recordercontent delivery, platform partner content delivery, web contentdelivery, longtail content delivery, and other types of remotenon-broadcast media content delivery. Local media content, such asavailable via the personal media library 416, may also be included in aunified discovery interface.

As described above, a user can select particular broadcast content ornon-broadcast content for presentation from the unified discoveryinterface. The download manager 418 residing on the media client 412receives the selected media content and presents it on the presentationdevice 420 via a content player interface (not shown). The selectedmedia content, for example, may be received from a remote content source422 or 424. The remote content sources 422 and 424 may, for example, beassociated with one or more content providers 402 or may be accessiblefrom other content providers, such as longtail content providersaccessible via the Internet or another WAN. Television or radiobroadcast programming content, for example, may be received and selectedvia a tuner in the media client 412 from a broadcast media contentsource, a cable source, a satellite source, or other type of televisionor radio broadcast content delivery. Non-broadcast content, such asInternet protocol media content, may also be received from a server viaa network, such as the Internet. Other types of media content deliveryare also contemplated.

FIG. 5 shows an example implementation of a system 500 for providing aunified discovery interface. In this implementation, the system 500includes a media client 512. The media client 512 includes local datastorage, such as a hard drive, for storing a database 516 of discoverycontent for use in a unified discovery interface 518. The database 516includes a broadcast discovery data repository 520 and a non-broadcastdiscovery data repository 522. The data repositories 520 and 522 caninclude, for example, separate file structures or tables within thedatabase 516. The broadcast discovery data repository 520 includesdiscovery data related to broadcast content available via broadcastchannels of the unified discovery interface 518 (e.g., broadcasttelevision content). The non-broadcast discovery data repository 522includes discovery data related to non-broadcast content available viavirtual channels of the unified discovery interface 518 (e.g., IPcontent). In one particular implementation, for example, therepositories of the database 516 store discovery data in a materialexchange format (MXF) file format. MXF is a “container” or “wrapper”format that supports a number of different streams of coded “essence,”encoded with any variety of codecs, together with a metadata wrapperthat describes the material contained within the MXF file. Other fileformats for storing discovery data can also be used.

Table 1, shown below, shows one example of an MXF data structure. Otherdata structures may also be used.

TABLE 1 Example data structure for an MXF file. <MXF version=“1.0”> <Assembly name=“mcstore.d11” Version=“6.0.5045.0”>  <nameSpace=“Microsoft.MediaCenter.Store”>    <Typename=“StoredObject”/>    <Type name=“Provider”/>    <Typename=“FieldRestriction”/>    <Type name=“UId” parentFieldName=”target”/>  </namespace>  </Assembly>  <Assembly name=“mcepg.d11”Version=“6.0.5045.0”>   <nameSpace=“Microsoft.MediaCenter.Guide”>   <Type name=“Serv”/>    <Type name=“TuneReq”/>    <Typename=“ATSCTuneRequest”/>    <Type name=“Channel”/>    <Typename=“ChannelLineup”/>    <Type name=“Program”/>    <Typename=“ScheduleEntry” groupName=“ScheduleEntries”/>   </namespace> </Assembly>  <Provider id=“WMIS”>   <UIdnameSpace=“Microsoft.MediaCenter.ProviderNames” idValue=“WMIS”/> </Provider>  <StoredObjects provider=“WMIS”>   <TuneRequests>   <ATSCTuneRequest id=”tr4.1” phys=”38” major=”4” minor=”1”/>   <ATSCTuneRequest id=”tr5.1” phys=”48” major=”5” minor=”1”/>   <ATSCTuneRequest id=”tr7.1” phys=”39” major=”7” minor=”1”/>  </TuneRequests>   <Services>    <Serv id=”KOMO-DT” name=”KOMO-DT”callSign=“KOMO-DT“ affil=”CBS” tuneReq=”tr4.1”/>    <Serv id=”KING-DT”name=”KING-DT” callSign=“KING-DT“ affil=”NBC” tuneReq=”tr5.1”/>    <Servid=”KIRO-DT” name=”KIRO-DT” callSign=“KIRO-DT“ affil=”ABC”tuneReq=”tr7.1”/>   </Services>   <ChannelLineup name=”ATSC - 98052”>   <Channels>     <Channel name=”1041” service=”KOMO-DT”/>     <Channelname=”1051” service=”KING-DT”/>     <Channel name=”1071”service=“KIRO-DT”/>    </Channels>   </ChannelLineup>   <Services>   <Serv id=”KOMO-DT” name=”KOMO-DT” callSign=“KOMO-DT“ affil=”CBS”tuneReq=”tr4.1”/>    <Serv id=”KING-DT” name=”KING-DT”callSign=“KING-DT“ affil=”NBC” tuneReq=”tr5.1”/>    <Serv id=”KIRO-DT”name=”KIRO-DT” callSign=“KIRO-DT“ affil=”ABC” tuneReq=”tr7.1”/>  </Services>   <Programs>    <Program id=”p1” title=”Lost”episodeTitle=”Weird Stuff Happens”>     <UId namespace=”WMIS.ProgramIds”idValue=”1234”>     <Description>     example description.    </Description>    </Program>   </Programs>   <ScheduleEntriesservice=”KOMO-DT”>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p10”/>    <ScheduleEntryprogram=”p11”/>   </ScheduleEntries>   <ScheduleEntriesservice=”KING-DT” >    <ScheduleEntry program=”p20” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p21” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>   </ScheduleEntries>   <ScheduleEntriesservice=”KING-DT”>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p20” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p21” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>   </ScheduleEntries>   <ScheduleEntriesservice=”KIRO-DT”>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p30” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>    <ScheduleEntry program=”p31” startTime=”xxx”endTime=”xxx”/>   </ScheduleEntries>  </StoredObjects> </MXF>

When the unified discovery interface 518 is accessed, discovery datafrom the broadcast discovery data repository 520 and the non-broadcastdiscovery data repository 522 is provided to a class module 524 thatprovides an abstraction layer, receives the discovery data from therepositories of the database 516 and combines them into broadcastchannels and virtual channels for presentation in the unified discoveryinterface 518.

The class module 524 receives non-broadcast discovery data associatedwith a virtual channel from the non-broadcast discovery data repository524 of the database 516 and determines how to combine it with thebroadcast discovery data of a broadcast channel in the unified discoveryinterface 518. Where the virtual channel is associated with a broadcastchannel, for example, the class module 524 receives a discoveryinterface relationship parameter associated with the virtual channel. Asdescribed above, the discovery interface relationship parameterindicates a broadcast channel of the discovery interface associated withthat virtual channel. The class module 524 uses this discovery interfacerelationship parameter to identify the associated broadcast channel anddetermine a location for presenting the virtual channel within theunified discovery interface 516 in some relation to a location of theassociated broadcast channel (e.g., above, below, alongside, or someother relation). Although the above implementation describes a virtualchannel being associated with a broadcast channel, the virtual channelmay also be associated with another virtual channel. Otherimplementations are also contemplated.

The discovery interface relationship parameter may specify, for example,a network or channel associated with the virtual channel, a title of anaffiliate of a broadcast channel, programming metadata (e.g., layout andtiming parameters), relationship parameters tying the virtual channel toa given entry of the unified discovery interface, or the like.

Where the virtual channel is not associated with a broadcast channel oranother virtual channel, the class module 524 receives the discoveryinterface relationship parameter associated with the virtual channel.The class module 524 uses this discovery interface relationshipparameter to determine a location (absolute or relative) for presentingthe virtual channel within the unified discovery interface 516. Otherimplementations are also contemplated.

The discovery data stored in one or more of the repositories of thedatabase 516 can be refreshed or otherwise updated at different times(e.g., periodically, at idle system times, or at other times). In oneparticular implementation, for example, the discovery data is refreshedvia an MXF loader 526 that updates data in one or both of the broadcastdiscovery data repository 520 and the non-broadcast discovery datarepository 522.

FIG. 6 illustrates example operations 500 for customizing a virtualchannel in a unified discovery interface. First discovery data relatedto broadcast media content available via a broadcast channel of aunified discovery interface is received in a receipt operation 502. Thediscovery data may be received, for example, from a content provider forthe broadcast media content, a content delivery provider (e.g., abroadcaster, cable provider, or satellite provider), a personal medialibrary, or other sources of discovery data. The discovery data mayinclude metadata, such as content-related metadata and metadata thatdescribes integration of media content within the unified discoveryinterface. Metadata, for example, may include title, synopsis, genre,category, classification, review, cast, crew, artist, producer, time,duration, location, content type, content provider, source, resolution,cost, subscriber, or other data relating to particular media content.

Second discovery data related to non-broadcast media content availablevia a virtual channel of the unified discovery interface is received inanother receipt operation 504. The first and second discovery datareceived in the receipt operations 502 and 504 may be received (directlyor indirectly) from the same or from different content providers. Thebroadcast media content, for example, may include time-basedprogramming, such as broadcast television, cable television, orsatellite television, while the non-broadcast media content, forexample, may include an alternative non-broadcast media content, such asvideo-on-demand, IP programming available via the Internet or anotherWAN, locally-stored media content, such as from a personal medialibrary, and the like.

The virtual channel comprises a discovery interface relationshipparameter indicating a relationship of the virtual channel within theunified discovery interface. The discovery interface relationshipparameter, for example, may indicate a relationship of the virtualchannel to another channel available via the unified discoveryinterface, such as a broadcast channel or another virtual channel. Thediscovery interface relationship parameter may alternatively indicate alocation relationship of the virtual channel within the unifieddiscovery interface, such as at a particular channel number or inrelation to one or more other channels.

The first and second discovery data is presented via a unified discoveryinterface through which a user may select between the broadcast mediacontent available via the broadcast channel and the non-broadcastcontent available via the virtual channel in a presentation operation506. In one implementation, a client module presents the unifieddiscovery interface to the user via a presentation device. The user canthen review discovery data in the unified discovery device for mediacontent available via both broadcast channels and virtual channels andselect one or more media content for presentation from that interface.

A selection of broadcast media content available via the broadcastchannel or the non-broadcast media content available via the virtualchannel is received via the unified discovery interface in a selectionoperation 508. The selected media content is then received from acontent source in a receipt operation 510 and is presented to a user viaa presentation device in a presentation operation 512.

The example hardware and operating environment of FIG. 7 forimplementing the invention includes a computing device, such as generalpurpose computing device in the form of a gaming console or computer 20,a mobile telephone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a set top box, orother type of computing device. In the implementation of FIG. 7, forexample, the computer 20 includes a processing unit 21, a system memory22, and a system bus 23 that operatively couples various systemcomponents including the system memory to the processing unit 21. Theremay be only one or there may be more than one processing unit 21, suchthat the processor of computer 20 comprises a single central-processingunit (CPU), or a plurality of processing units, commonly referred to asa parallel processing environment. The computer 20 may be a conventionalcomputer, a distributed computer, or any other type of computer; theinvention is not so limited.

The system bus 23 may be any of several types of bus structuresincluding a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, aswitched fabric, point-to-point connections, and a local bus using anyof a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may also bereferred to as simply the memory, and includes read only memory (ROM) 24and random access memory (RAM) 25. A basic input/output system (BIOS)26, containing the basic routines that help to transfer informationbetween elements within the computer 20, such as during start-up, isstored in ROM 24. The computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive 27for reading from and writing to a hard disk, not shown, a magnetic diskdrive 28 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 29,and an optical disk drive 30 for reading from or writing to a removableoptical disk 31 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.

The hard disk drive 27, magnetic disk drive 28, and optical disk drive30 are connected to the system bus 23 by a hard disk drive interface 32,a magnetic disk drive interface 33, and an optical disk drive interface34, respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readablemedia provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 20. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type ofcomputer-readable media which can store data that is accessible by acomputer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital videodisks, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and thelike, may be used in the example operating environment.

A number of program modules may be stored on the hard disk, magneticdisk 29, optical disk 31, ROM 24, or RAM 25, including an operatingsystem 35, one or more application programs 36, other program modules37, and program data 38. A user may enter commands and information intothe personal computer 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 40 andpointing device 42. Other input devices (not shown) may include amicrophone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like.These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit21 through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the system bus,but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, gameport, or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 47 or other type ofdisplay device is also connected to the system bus 23 via an interface,such as a video adapter 48. In addition to the monitor, computerstypically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such asspeakers and printers.

The computer 20 may operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 49.These logical connections are achieved by a communication device coupledto or a part of the computer 20; the invention is not limited to aparticular type of communications device. The remote computer 49 may beanother computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a client, a peerdevice or other common network node, and typically includes many or allof the elements described above relative to the computer 20, althoughonly a memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 7. Thelogical connections depicted in FIG. 7 include a local-area network(LAN) 51 and a wide-area network (WAN) 52. Such networking environmentsare commonplace in office networks, enterprise-wide computer networks,intranets and the Internet, which are all types of networks.

When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer 20 is connectedto the local network 51 through a network interface or adapter 53, whichis one type of communications device. When used in a WAN-networkingenvironment, the computer 20 typically includes a modem 54, a networkadapter, a type of communications device, or any other type ofcommunications device for establishing communications over the wide areanetwork 52. The modem 54, which may be internal or external, isconnected to the system bus 23 via the serial port interface 46. In anetworked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personalcomputer 20, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memorystorage device. It is appreciated that the network connections shown areexample and other means of and communications devices for establishing acommunications link between the computers may be used.

In an example implementation, a discovery data ingestion module, adownload module, a discovery interface module, a class module, adiscovery interface display module, and other modules may be embodied byinstructions stored in memory 22 and/or storage devices 29 or 31 andprocessed by the processing unit 21. A personal media library, variouscatalogs, databases, content, images, animations, video, contentmetadata, and other data may be stored in memory 22 and/or storagedevices 29 or 31 or other communicatively coupled storage as persistentdatastores.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example screenshot of a discovery interface 800including an expanded graphical tile 802 for an offering of availablemedia content from a media application. Each row of the discoveryinterface displays information pertaining to one or more relatedofferings of media content (e.g., broadcast media content, such asbroadcast network television content, and/or non broadcast mediacontent, such as downloadable IP media content from a Web-based mediaprovider). For example, row 804 depicts panels pertaining to broadcastmedia content offerings from a major television network. For certainbroadcast offerings, the rows are divided into individual offeringswhich align with time slot columns. In contrast, row 806 depictsgraphical tiles pertaining to video-on-demand (“VOD”) programming(non-broadcast) that offers select media content. Typically, VODprogramming is not tied to strict time slots. As such, the row 806provides a strip of graphical tiles 808, inclusive of graphical tile802, from which a user may select a specific media content offering.

The graphical images, animations, or video used in each tile aregenerated from discovery data retrieved for each offering. In oneimplementation, the graphical images, animations, or video (generally,“graphics”) are selected from actual scenes in the media content,preferably with distinguishing characters or environments, to assist theuser in rapidly recognizing the offering, although such graphics may beretrieved from separate graphics databases, including Web-based or localdatabases. It should be understood that the graphics may be associatedwith broadcast media content and non-broadcast media content, includingcontent stored locally or via a network by the user (e.g., a tile thatidentifies a local digital photo album of the user and displays one ormore images from the album as the tile graphics). The size of each tileis specified or constrained by dimension parameters associated withvarious states, including a focused state, an unfocused state, and anunfocused row state.

To select an offering, a user (or some automated process of thediscovery interface or media application) navigates focus into anappropriate row. In the case of the illustrated display, the focus ismoved to the graphical tile 802. As the focus is initially moved intothe row 806, a discovery interface display module expands the height ofthe row from its unfocused height (see e.g., the height tiles in row810) to zoom in on the graphical tiles in the graphical strip 808 andprovide room for display of metadata associated with the offering of afocused graphical tile within the expanded row (e.g., an examplediscovery interface section). Upon detection of the focus on thegraphical tile 802, the discovery interface display module furtherexpands the height and width of the graphical tile 802 so that the tile802 is taller and wider than other graphical tiles in the strip 808. Inthe illustrated implementation, the focused graphical tile 802 is alsohighlighted by an enhanced border to better distinguish it within thestrip 808 and within the discovery interface 800.

Furthermore, upon detection of the focus on the graphical tile 802,metadata 812 retrieved from discovery data associated with the offeringis displayed in proximity to the tile 802. This proximity, as well asother characteristics such as the overlap between the expanded tile 802and the metadata region, suggests an association between the offering ofthe tile 802 and the metadata 812. In the illustration, the graphics oftile 802 depicts a scene from Another Funny Movie, including certainrecognizable characters from the movie, and metadata identifying themovie name, year, duration, and rating is displayed below the tile 802.

It should also be noted that the unfocused row 810 also includes agraphical strip. In one implementation, to accentuate the focus on thefocused graphical tile 802, the graphics in the graphical strip 814 ofthe unfocused row 810 (e.g., in an unfocused row state) are smaller thanthe graphical tiles of the graphical strip 808. The unfocused graphicaltiles of the graphical strip 808 (e.g., in an unfocused state) are inturn smaller than the focused graphical tile 802 (e.g., in a focusedstate) of focused row 806. Again, these dimensions are specified orconstrained by dimension parameters associated with each state.

FIG. 9 illustrates example operations 900 for displaying a discoveryinterface with an expanded graphical tile for an offering of availablemedia content. A collection operation 902 collects discovery data forthe available media content to be displayed in the discovery interface.In one implementation, the discovery data is periodically downloadedfrom a media content server or some other source.

A display operation 904 displays the discovery interface on a displaydevice. A receiving operation 906 receives input for navigating focuswithin the discovery interface. In one implementation, the focus may bemoved by a user using a keyboard, mouse or other pointing device, suchas a trackball or remote control. Alternatively, the focus may be movedprogrammatically, such as via a search engine within the discoveryinterface.

A detection operation 908 detects input that moves the focus to agraphical tile. In response to such detection, an expansion operation910 expands the height of the row in which the focused graphical tile islocated, if it is not already expanded, and further expands the heightand width of the focused graphical tile. A metadata operation 912displays metadata associated with the content indicated by the focusedgraphical tile.

The technology described herein is implemented as logical operationsand/or modules in one or more systems. The logical operations may beimplemented as a sequence of processor-implemented steps executing inone or more computer systems and as interconnected machine or circuitmodules within one or more computer systems. Likewise, the descriptionsof various component modules may be provided in terms of operationsexecuted or effected by the modules. The resulting implementation is amatter of choice, dependent on the performance requirements of theunderlying system implementing the described technology. Accordingly,the logical operations making up the embodiments of the technologydescribed herein are referred to variously as operations, steps,objects, or modules. Furthermore, it should be understood that logicaloperations may be performed in any order, unless explicitly claimedotherwise or a specific order is inherently necessitated by the claimlanguage.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of example embodiments of theinvention. Although various embodiments of the invention have beendescribed above with a certain degree of particularity, or withreference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in theart could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of this invention. In particular, itshould be understood that the described technology may be employedindependent of a personal computer. Other embodiments are thereforecontemplated. It is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative only of particular embodiments and not limiting. Changesin detail or structure may be made without departing from the basicelements of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological arts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

1. A method comprising: displaying a plurality of graphical tiles withina discovery interface, each graphical tile representing an offering ofavailable content and having at least one dimension parameter designatedfor an unfocused state of the graphical tile; receiving input movingfocus within the discovery interface; detecting that the focus has beenmoved to one of the graphical tiles; altering display of the discoveryinterface such that at least one dimension of the focused graphical tileis displayed as expanded to exceed at least one corresponding dimensionparameter designated for the unfocused state, responsive to thedetecting.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the discovery interfaceincludes an electronic programming guide for accessing broadcast andnon-broadcast content.
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the availablecontent associated with at least one of the graphical tiles representsan offering of available non-broadcast content.
 4. The method of claim 1wherein the operation of displaying a plurality of graphical tilescomprises: collecting discovery data pertaining to the offering, thediscovery data specifying graphics associated with the available contentof the offering.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation ofaltering display of the discovery interface comprises: displaying thediscovery interface to expand both height and width of the focusedgraphical tile to exceed height and width parameters designated for theunfocused state.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation ofaltering display of the discovery interface comprises: displaying thefocused graphical tile as expanded to exceed at least one dimension ofall of the other graphical tiles in the strip.
 7. The method of claim 1wherein the operation of displaying a plurality of graphical tilescomprises: displaying the plurality of graphical tiles in a strip ofgraphical tiles, the strip including the focused graphical tile.
 8. Themethod of claim 7 wherein the strip that includes the focused graphicaltile resides within a first discovery interface section and furthercomprising: displaying within a second discovery interface section thatdoes not have focus, the second discovery interface section includinganother strip of graphical tiles, each graphical tile in the other striphaving at least one dimension that is smaller than at least onecorresponding dimension parameter designated for the unfocused state ofthe unfocused graphical tiles within the first discovery interfacesection.
 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the strip that includes thefocused graphical tile resides within a first discovery interfacesection having focus and further comprising: displaying within a seconddiscovery interface section that does not have focus, the seconddiscovery interface section including another strip of graphical tiles,each graphical tile in the other strip having height and width that aresmaller than height and width parameters designated for the unfocusedstate of the unfocused graphical tiles within the first discoveryinterface section.
 10. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation ofdisplaying a plurality of graphical tiles comprises: collectingdiscovery data pertaining to the offering, the discovery data specifyingmetadata associated with the offering; displaying metadata associatedwith the offering of the focused graphical tile in proximity to thefocused graphical tile within the discovery interface.
 11. Acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructionsfor performing a computer process that implements operations comprising:displaying a plurality of graphical tiles within a discovery interfaceof a media application, each graphical tile representing an offering ofavailable media content presented by the discovery interface and havingat least one dimension parameter designated for an unfocused state ofthe graphical tile; receiving input moving focus within the discoveryinterface; detecting that the focus has been moved to one of thegraphical tiles; altering display of the discovery interface such thatat least one dimension of the focused graphical tile is displayed asexpanded to exceed at least one corresponding dimension parameterdesignated for the unfocused state, responsive to the detecting.
 12. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the available media contentassociated with at least one of the graphical tiles represents anoffering of available non-broadcast media content.
 13. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the operation of displayinga plurality of graphical tiles comprises: collecting discovery datapertaining to the offering, the discovery data specifying graphicsassociated with the available media content of the offering.
 14. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the operation of alteringdisplay of the discovery interface comprises: displaying the discoveryinterface to expand both height and width of the focused graphical tileto exceed height and width parameters designated for the unfocusedstate.
 15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein theoperation of altering display of the discovery interface comprises:displaying the focused graphical tile as expanded to exceed at least onedimension of all of the other graphical tiles in the strip.
 16. Thecomputer-readable medium of claim 11 wherein the operation of displayinga plurality of graphical tiles comprises: displaying the plurality ofgraphical tiles in a strip of graphical tiles, the strip including thefocused graphical tile.
 17. The computer-readable medium of claim 16wherein the strip that includes the focused graphical tile resideswithin a first discovery interface section having focus and the computerprocess further comprises: displaying within a second discoveryinterface section that does not have focus, the second discoveryinterface section including another strip of graphical tiles, eachgraphical tile in the other strip having at least one dimension that issmaller than at least one corresponding dimension parameter designatedfor the unfocused state of the unfocused graphical tiles within thefirst discovery interface section.
 18. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 16 wherein the strip that includes the focused graphical tileresides within a first discovery interface section having focus and thecomputer process further comprises: displaying within a second discoveryinterface section that does not have focus, the second discoveryinterface section including another strip of graphical tiles, eachgraphical tile in the other strip having height and width that aresmaller than height and width parameters designated for the unfocusedstate of the unfocused graphical tiles within the first discoveryinterface section.
 19. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 whereinthe operation of displaying a plurality of graphical tiles comprises:collecting discovery data pertaining to the offering, the discovery dataspecifying metadata associated with the offering; displaying metadataassociated with the offering of the focused graphical tile in proximityto the focused graphical tile within the discovery interface.
 20. Amethod in a computing system for displaying on a display device adiscovery interface of a media application executing on the computingsystem and presenting one or more offerings of available media content,the method comprising: displaying on the display device a plurality ofgraphical tiles within the discovery interface of the media application,each graphical tile representing an offering of available media contentand having at least one dimension parameter designated for an unfocusedstate of the graphical tile; receiving user input moving focus withinthe discovery interface; detecting that the focus has been moved by theuser input to one of the graphical tiles; altering display of thediscovery interface on the display device such that at least onedimension of the focused graphical tile is displayed as expanded toexceed at least one corresponding dimension parameter designated for theunfocused state, responsive to the detecting.